Innovation

Lenovo calls it Innovative Packaging. For them, it isn't just a wrap that covers the product to be safely delivered into the customers' hands. They see it as an opportunity to be innovative to find ways how to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. As stated by Ms. Cyrelle, "This innovative packaging is one of the company's projects that they are proud of because they are pioneers in this initiative and because of the purpose and impact of this innovation."

The company uses plant-based bamboo and sugar cane fibers in its packaging. It marked the launch of a new era of eco-friendly packaging offerings for Lenovo; while enhancing customer experience as although plant-based, bamboo fiber packaging has a sleek and robust design, is lightweight, and is 100% renewable.

Lenovo's packaging requires all corrugated container packaging supplied to be a minimum of 70 percent post-consumer fiber content and requires suppliers to use the maximum available PCC where adequate supplies exist without compromising standard packaging performance characteristics, while the prints on boxes are via flexography with water-based, non-toxic, RoHS-compliant inks. Further, the company secures a certificate from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for all its products whenever virgin fibers are used.

Another innovation in their packaging is the use of Ocean Bound Plastic. OBP is plastic waste collected and processed before it hits the ocean's shore or the shoreline itself. The processing of ocean-bound plastic prevents hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste that could pollute waterways and threaten the life of wildlife that inhabit them. In FY 2021/22, they introduced a cushion containing OBP (30% OBP and 70% other recycled plastics) in the packaging for select products. Moving forward, Lenovo is committed to applying this in the long run and is estimated to use around 70 to 80 metric tons of OBP yearly.

Further, the company has accomplished plastic-free packaging on their ThinkPad X1 and Z series in action to their goal to eliminate plastic materials from their product packaging. Lenovo continues to expand this initiative to its other product offerings, and hopefully, sooner, all product packaging will be plastic-free.

These innovations address the UN SDGs of Climate Action (SDG #13), Life below water (SDG 14), and Life on land (SDG #15). Lenovo has been urgently combatting climate change through these initiatives and its environmental programs in the coming years.

Inspiration

"A sustainable earth for the future generation." As stated by Ms. Cyrelle Perez, these words and thoughts came from the CEO of Lenovo during one of their town halls. She said that although profit is essential, the CEO himself values and actively promotes ideas and innovations that would lessen or eradicate the impact of harm to the environment.

Ms. Cyrelle shared that Lenovo's heads actively promote them to be a steward of the earth, even in the tiniest way possible, as these small things, when put together, create a beneficial impact.

Because of the influence and active promotion, Ms. Cyrelle actively participated in any environmental engagement conducted by the company and even outside organizations. When asked why she was inspired to take part, she answered, "We only have one earth, and we need to do something now to save this - what would life be without mountains, trees, a clean ocean, and fresh air? It's like waking up in gray. I also agree with our CEO whenever he mentions the future generation. We should be more selfless and think of their well-being and let them experience and see the beauty of the earth."

Furthermore, according to her taking care of the environment also means giving back to the number one contributor to our life - all that we eat and drink comes to none other than Mother Nature. This is what we should always remember and put in our hearts and mind.

Overall impact

Lenovo's greener packaging so far provides an impactful contribution to the environment. Lenovo eliminated 3,737 metric tons of packaging consumption by weight, and their lighter bio-based packaging resulted in 6.7% less transportation CO2 emissions as of the end of FY 2021.

Further, ocean-bound plastics (OBD) save the natural resources and energy that would have gone into manufacturing new plastics and divert these materials from landfills.

So far, Lenovo's cumulative total use of recycled plastics is over 123 million kilograms (gross) containing PIC, PCC, and/or CL PCR, with net PCC of over 52 million kilograms and net CL PCR of more than 14 million kilograms since 2005. In 2021, the Company's use of plastics containing recycled content was approximately 7.8 million kilograms (gross) with a net CL PCR of approximately 4.6 million kilograms. The Company will begin reporting on the total weight of OBP and recycled metals in the coming fiscal year report.

The most significant impact of these innovations is the reduction of waste. The world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of solid waste annually. If this continues to go up yearly, it is forecasted that in 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. This packaging innovation can contribute to slowing down the produced waste and is harmless to the environment due to its bio-based specification.

Business benefit

The benefits of these innovations to Lenovo are they have been recognized and rewarded with different certifications from different organizations worldwide. In 2021, scored an A “Leadership Level” on CDP’s Water Security questionnaire; and was listed on CDP Water A-List, demonstrating leadership in transparency and action on water risk. CDP is a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts.

And in 2022, the Company achieved its 1st 4-Leaf Certification from Green Freight Asia (GFA) for its performance in Australia. The Leaf-4 Label is the highest-ranked label a company can obtain and demonstrates the Company’s commitment to sustainability and transparency in disclosing related data.

Because of these recognitions, Lenovo has become one of the top technology brands known for its sustainability. Consumers nowadays make a big deal if the company is sustainable, as they tend to support those brands that are sustainable; and somehow boycott those that are not.

"The influencers loved the Bamboo Fiber Gift Box, and most highlighted that it's 100% renewable and good for the environment." Ms. Cyrelle shared. She also believes that because of the marketing brand that Lenovo is sustainable, it contributed to the 19.77% revenue increase for 2020 and 17.9% from 2021.

Social and environmental benefit

The benefit of these innovations to society is that it contributes to making the world a better and livable place. It helps reduces the harmful effects of non-biodegradable waste on us people. In addition, their use of OBD benefits people as we can enjoy clean and safe seas, preventing contamination of what we eat.

The benefit for the environment is it lets it be to have a breather and at least slow down the negative impact of every single waste. It contributes to the earth's healing because it lessens the production of other materials, which can add waste and emissions, as they find ways to recycle things. Lastly, its benefit to the environment is that it addresses future issues and proactively searches for how to make things better and safer for mother nature while the industry grows. Having it addressed makes Lenovo aware and conscious of every action it may take. "They will always see that the environment is not hurting." Ms. Cyrelle emphasized.

Interview

Cyrelle Perez, Channel Manager